MONEY
Currency
1 Armenian dram = 100 luma. Currency abbreviation: dr., AMD (ISO code). Banknotes are in circulation to the denomination of 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000 dram. There are coins in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 dram.
Credit cards
Credit cards are accepted in some larger hotels, upscale restaurants, and better stores. Occasionally, however, there are technical difficulties, which is why only cash payments are possible. Some better stores also have their own exchange offices. There are numerous ATMs in Yerevan that accept credit cards, e.g. Cash can also be withdrawn in the local currency with an EC card.
Outside of Yerevan, cash cannot be withdrawn from ATMs everywhere.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted throughout Europe and worldwide. Cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted in some shops in Armenia, but rarely at ATMs. Further information from banks and credit institutes.
Attention: Travelers who pay abroad with their bank customer card and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-6 p.m. (sometimes only 9 a.m.-12.30 p.m.). Exchange offices are open until midnight, including on Sundays and public holidays.
Foreign exchange regulations
The import of local and foreign currency is unlimited, foreign currency with a value of 10,000 US $ or more is subject to declaration. The export of the national currency is possible without restriction, the export of foreign currency only in the amount of the declared import amounts minus the exchange amounts (proof).
Currency Exchange
Recent US $ bills and euros can be exchanged at airports, banks, and most hotels and shops. When exchanging local currency for euros, you should carefully check the euro notes. There are supposed to be false euro notes in circulation. When paying in the national currency, visitors are advised to carry a lot of change with them, as in some shops and especially in markets larger banknotes cannot be changed. The acceptance of US dollars is officially prohibited. Prices are often quoted in US dollars and accepted at the daily rate in dram. Paying in foreign currency is officially prohibited in Armenia, a country located in Asia according to holidaysort.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official language is Armenian (96%), one of the oldest cultural languages in the world. Russian (2%) and Kurdish are also spoken. However, Russian is now rarely used.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following items can be imported into Armenia duty-free in hand luggage (people over 18 years of age):
400 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos and 10 cigars;
2 l spirits;
Perfume for personal use;
Personal items (up to a value of US $ 500).
Valuable items (computers, cameras, jewelry, etc.)
must be declared so that there are no problems during export. The declaration form should be kept in a safe place.
Export restrictions
An export permit from the Ministry of Culture is required for works of art. There is an export ban for particularly valuable antiques and cultural goods.
Prohibited imports
Pornographic material and narcotics.
SHOP
Overview
There are several modern clothing stores in Yerevan with fashions from local designers. Various handicrafts made of silk, ceramics and wood as well as paintings are sold in Yerevan galleries. Antiques such as icons, rugs and carpets are very expensive and can only be exported with a special permit. This is only available if the purchase was made in an official shop and not in a market or from a private person. All kinds of goods are offered at the Vernisaj flea market in Yerevan, which is very popular with tourists. The shopping hours of the shops are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in summer most shops are open longer.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
There are numerous restaurants and nightclubs in Yerevan, where local bands play everything from soft jazz to hard rock. Some of the biggest clubs play techno and trance music until dawn, sometimes played by DJs from Russia or Europe. There are a number of somewhat deserted casinos on the way to the airport. Yerevan has a large concert hall, an opera house and chamber music hall and several theaters. Opera and music performances are of a high standard and tickets are inexpensive. The Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra and the Armenian Chamber Orchestra, founded in 1997, make regular guest appearances in Yerevan and other cities. There are several music ensembles that specialize in traditional Armenian folk music, song, and dance.
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
There are several large hotels in Yerevan, the standard of which is roughly equivalent to international 3-star hotels. The Hotel Armenia is run in cooperation with Marriott, the power supply is secured by its own generators. In the Hotel Armenia and the newly appointed Ani Plaza Hotel are tourist information offices, can be organized on the excursions, including trips.
Camping
Camping facilities are not available.
